Rance_tidal_power_plant.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rance_tidal_power_plant.JPG
By-Nick C.

Tidal Power- The Ocean at Work


1. Important Vocabulary

Turbine:
Definition:
A
ny of various machines having a rotor, usually with vanes or blades, driven by the pressure, momentum, or reactive thrust of a moving fluid, as steam, water, hot gases, or air, either occurring in the form of free jets or as a fluid passing through and entirely filling a housing around the rotor. [7]
Relevance to Tidal Power:
The turbine is spun by the water. That energy is then transferred to a generator which turns this
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/BarrageRance.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/BarrageRance.jpg
energy into electricity.


Tide :

Definition:
The periodic rise and fall of the waters of the ocean and its inlets, produced by the attraction of the moon and sun, and occurring about every 12 hours. The tide goes into a reservoir, where the water is trapped until the tide goes out. [7]
Relevance to Tidal Power:
The gravitational potential energy forces the water to move after it is released, causing the turbines to spin.


Generator:

Definition:
A machine that converts one form of energy into another, esp. mechanical energy into electrical energy, as a dynamo, or electrical energy into sound, as an acoustic generator. [7]
Relevance to Tidal Power:
The turbine spinning from the water turns the generator which turns the energy into electricity.

Ebb and Flow:
Definition:
This expression alludes to the inward and outward movement of ocean tides. [7]
Relevance to Tidal Power:
The movement of the ocean brings in more water every 12 hours to be drained.





2. History of Tidal Power
From the early 12th century onward, tidal power was used to quite a lot in Europe. It fills the reservoir like modern times, but instead of a turbine, the water spins a water wheel which turns a grinding stone. This stone would usually be used to turn wheat into flour. [6]




3. Steps to tidal power

1. The tide brings in water to the resevior.
2. The ebb and flow of the tide spins a turbine
3. turbine energy is transferred to a generator which transferres the spinning motion into electrical energy [5]


4. Conservation of Energy
A. Step 1-2-3 is gravitional potential energy
B. Step 4-5 is kinetic energy to electrical energy



5. Advantages and Disadavantages of Tidal Power
Pros
  • No emissions [4]
  • Small operating cost
  • 75% of the world is ocean
Cons
  • Lots of organism are affected where tidal power bridges are built [4]
  • Initial cost expensive [3]
Many fish are killed in the turbines [3]


News Paper Article:






Bibliography:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO1mFMQlMDg [1]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKfXVDTSldE&feature=related [2]
http://www.energy-consumers-edge.com/tidal_energy_use.html [3]
http://www.oilprice.com/article-How-Does-Tidal-Energy-Work.html [4]
http://home.clara.net/darvill/altenerg/tidal.htm [5]
Morris, Neil Water Power, North Mankato: Smart Apple: 2007 [6]
http://www.dictionary.com [7]

Tidal Power Video


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